by telling cnbc the white house is prepared to go off the fiscal cliff, unless the republicans bend on taxes. comment by former democratic presidential candidate howard dean frightened republics that this debate is not just about raising taxes on the rich. >> the truth is, even needs to pay more taxes. not just the rich. that is a good start. we are not getting out of the deficit problem unless we raise taxes across the board and go back to what bill clinton have. >> some liberals pushed the president to raise the debt ceiling himself, claiming he has executive power through the 14th amendment. jay carney reveals today the white house studied that, does not believe the president has the power. that means we are headed for another major showdown with congress over the debt ceilin ceiling. >> bret: more with the panel. ed henry, thank you. republicans are losing one of the most conservative voices on capitol hill. south carolina senator jim demint surprised a lot of people today when he announced he is leaving the senate. but staying in washington to run the conservative heritage foundat